If a person were to ask you to explain what the word 'repent' means what would you say?

We don't hear the word much. Why do you think that would be?

I would say "repent" means to be truly sorry for a past deed or deeds and to stop doing what ever it was, and to repair any damage that was done if possible, providing the repair did not inflict more damage.

The word "repent" has a religious connotation. In the broader culture it is considered socially innapropriate to call for repentance. It would possibly result in the person making the call being accused of being judgmental. That is true within the church as well to a certain extent.

So would confession and repentance happen at the same time? You confess or name the sin, then repent, which is saying you're sorry and really intending to not do it again? Or is confessing more than just naming it?

It is possible to confess without repenting. People who are charged with crimes often plead guilty in order to avoid a trial and the probability of a much harsher sentence. The same person might serve his time, or pay his fine, then repeat the same crime over again. He confessed but apparantly did not repent.

Repentance means being sorry enough to quit, to turn one's back on the deed or lifestyle being repented of. Repentance leads to action: just as faith without deeds is dead, so repentance without deeds is dead (see Acts 26:20). Repentance means feeling greater sorrow for the hurt your wrong caused others than for any shame or punishment you experienced. True repentance is a gift of God, which can only be opened by those who are seeking out after God, as it is the natural byproduct of that process. God wants everyone to receive this gift (2 Peter 3:9), but while everyone needs it, only sinners who recognize their need will ever receive it (Luke 5:31,32). It comes to us as we move in the direction that God wants us to move - just as the ten lepers were cleansed "as they went" in response to Jesus' command. Repentance does not naturally spring up in the heart of man and cannot be forced or manufactured. It does not remove all of the consequences of our sinful choices (many of which we still have to live with), but it will often avert disaster (Dan 4:27, book of Jonah). It is an absolutely mandatory feature of the Christian life (Acts 17:30), and is a matter of life and death (Luke 13:1-5). When we do open this gift of God, it is a cause for great rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7).

George now that you are appropriatly on a roll don't forget these ...........Acts 5:31 , 2 Timothy 2:25 repentance is a gift to be received and obtained by drinking in Genesis 3:15 & Deuteronomy 6:5

Deuteronomy 10:12

Deuteronomy 11:13

Matthew 22:37

Mark 12:30

Mark 12:33

Luke 10:27

Luke 7:47

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. If you eat & drink the Word we could indeed become friends bonded by Logos.

Logged

Grateful for Psalms 32 and Titus 2:10 While it is true that God gives the message from Scripture and SOP. The taste I give to others about the message sells it or kills it, I learn to walk it well & cook it well & eat it myself, before I preach it. Then the SDA message appeals by His righteousness.

I am looking for an EGW statement concerning repentance in which she says that often, at the end of the day we will have to sorrowfully and tearfully kneel before Jesus asking forgiveness as we reflect back on the day.

Those were not her words, but the best I can recall, that was more or less her meaning. Does anyone know where I can find it? I skimmed through Steps to Christ, but I didn't spot it.

There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ, and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes; but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." And do not forget the words of Christ, "The Father himself loveth you." John 16:27. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. {FLB 118.4} All sin . . . may be overcome by the Holy Spirit's power. {FLB 118.5}

Quote

We are to grow daily in spiritual loveliness. We shall fail often in our efforts to copy the divine pattern. We shall often have to bow down to weep at the feet of Jesus, because of our shortcomings and mistakes; but we are not to be discouraged; we are to pray more fervently, believe more fully, and try again with more steadfastness to grow into the likeness of our Lord. As we distrust our own power, we shall trust the power of our Redeemer, and render praise to God, who is the health of our countenance, and our God. . . . {AG 302.4} {Mar 227.4} {OFC 292.7-293.2} Steps to Christ, pp. 63-65. {RC 123.4-123.6} {1SM 337.1-337.2} {SC 64.2-65.2} {YRP 64.5} {BEcho, April 15, 1893 par. 5-6}, August 7, 1888 Are You Light-Bearers? By Mrs. E. G. White.{RH, August 7, 1888 par. 13}, January 2, 1907 The Life of the New Man., {ST, January 2, 1907 par. 3} <references =context + quote >

Logged

Grateful for Psalms 32 and Titus 2:10 While it is true that God gives the message from Scripture and SOP. The taste I give to others about the message sells it or kills it, I learn to walk it well & cook it well & eat it myself, before I preach it. Then the SDA message appeals by His righteousness.